Joseph Busatto/Contributing Writer
By day, he is a broadcasting major. By night, he leads the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Club at FIU. Yannick Saez is a senior at FIU and the President of the MMA Club. Saez oversees the progress of the members and strives for a family atmosphere within the club. He has organized club events such as fundraisers to showcase what the club is about.
Saez first took over the club in 2011, two years after it was first founded at FIU. Club members would train in FIU’s recreation facility and the Freestyle Fighting Academy (FFA) across the street. Eventually, the club would no longer be allowed at the FFA because of the rising number of members and the quest for a new facility began. A student instructor, Daniel Perez, opened up his own Mixed Martial Arts facility called “Sunset MMA” which is located on Sunset Drive and 102nd Avenue. When the rec center isn’t available, the club meets at Sunset MMA.
Some club members participate in MMA and jiu-jitsu competitions and tournaments regularly. They have had two competitors whom have competed in 8 fights, including Saez. A typical amateur MMA fight is three rounds and three minutes each round.
When asked about whom to look out for this coming year, Saez said to look for Miami-Dade College transfers Chris Rivera and Josh Solano who are both “super dedicated.” Saez is set to graduate Fall 2015 and he is now looking for a successor to take his position. He looks for “someone who gives 110% and someone who will take good care of the club.”
The club is also for those who want to get in shape. Practices start with what Saez called the “crazy warm up.” The “crazy warm up” tries to simulate an actual fight. It consists of three, five-minute rounds that focus on a different body part each round. Following the warm up, there are a few minutes to rest, and the course begins. The purpose of the warm up is “to tire you out so once you do the technique, you can’t use strength. You have to use the technique itself.” In other words, the warm up exhausts you so you must rely on proper technique and not solely on strength.
Many members have started out of shape and have lost a significant amount of weight by just joining the MMA club and being active members. Club members pick up healthy nutritional habits from others. Saez compared attending competitions to a family gathering. Everyone attends and supports team members. As time has gone on, the club continues to expand. When asked if the club will grow, Saez declared, “Yes. MMA itself is growing exponentially.” The FIU MMA club has actually trained with a UFC fighter with a 20-6 record, Damian Maia.
The club has around 20 members made up of about 15 men and 5 women. Meetings aren’t required which allows members to participate whenever their schedules allow. Yannick Saez wanted to emphasize a clear message. “(The Club) is for everyone to be honest. You get the hardcore guys that do MMA, then you get those who love jiu-jitsu.” He also stated that no prior experience is necessary. “Have a good attitude. Come with an open mind and good heart and you’ll be welcomed with open arms.”
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